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wash-your-face-tricks-beauty

It seems so simple, so basic. But many people are washing their face all wrong. During our adolescent years, we all learned about the importance of keeping our face clean. Battling hormones was a big enough challenge without adding dirt, sweat and environmental factors on top of it. Chances are you swiped on an Oxy pad or washed with a salicylic acid bar soap and called it a day.

Achieving silky smooth skin starts with properly washing your face. The do’s and don’ts below will help you perfect your daily cleansing routine to reveal beautiful skin under the build up.

Don’t Forget It’s a 4-5 Step Process

Washing your face properly doesn’t end when you rinse off the cleanser. That’s just the first step. To really get your face fresh and clean, you should follow up with an alcohol-free toner and then a serum that nourishes the skin. Finally, top the serum off with a moisturizer. At least a few times a week add a gentle exfoliator to the cleansing routine for improved texture and clarity.

Do Find a System That Works for Your Skin

The first step in the process is using the right products. You’ll need to find products that will get the job done without being harsh on the skin. It could help to find a multi-product system like Dermaclara Advanced that contains a cleanser, exfoliator, serum, and moisturizer.

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Don’t Use Hot Water

Hot water will dry out the skin, strip the natural oils and enlarge pores. Hot water can also inflame skin tissue making acne flare-ups worse. Instead, start by wetting your face with lukewarm water. Apply a cream cleanser then rinse with cool water. Hollywood starlet Joan Crawford was famous for using ice cold water, but experts say cold water is better because it will refresh the skin without restricting blood flow.

Do Use Your Fingers in a Circular Motion While Washing

The reason so many aestheticians use an upward circular motion while cleaning a person’s face – because it’s relaxing and helps loosen up the grime. Start by thoroughly washing the oily t-zone and work your way outward. Take at least a minute to get a good cleanse all the way down to the jawline.

Remember – always use your fingers, not a washcloth. The washcloth’s abrasive texture can aggravate the skin.

Do Wash Your Face at Night

Experts are on the fence as to whether you should wash your face once or twice a day, but everyone agrees you should wash your face at night. After a long day out in the dirty world, applying sunscreen, wearing makeup and possibly sweating your pores are clogged with gunk. To keep the acne at bay and allow your skin to breath the grime needs to be washed off each night.

As for morning washes, that’s a contentious topic. Some skin specialists say go ahead, while others say it’s unnecessary so there’s no reason to wash off your nightly moisturizer or serum. If you have sensitive or dry skin you may want to try skipping the morning wash.

Don’t Overdo It

Sometimes good intentions create skin problems. In an effort to get as squeaky clean as possible, some women overdo it. It’s never a good idea to vigorously rub in an exfoliator even if your skin is flaky. Depending on the type of skin you have, washing your face twice a day could be dehydrating.

You also have to be careful when using electronic cleansing brushes. The brush should be constantly moving to avoid irritating the skin.

Do Blot Your Skin Dry

After you’re done cleaning your face resist the urge to rub the skin dry with a towel. Rubbing can irritate the epidermis. Some people believe it can also stretch the skin and damage elastin. The better option is to blot the skin dry with a soft hand towel or tissue paper.

Don’t Use Too Much Toner

A little bit of toner goes a long way. Lightly moisten a cotton ball with the toner and focus on areas where there’s excess oil and enlarged pores.

Do Follow Up With Moisturizer Before the Skin Dries

Moisturizers work best on moist skin. Products that contain ingredients like hyaluronic acid work to latch on to moisture in the skin to create a plumping affect. Moisturizer should be applied shortly after the toner or serum to lock in the moisture. Pay special attention to moisturizer around the eyes where the skin is most delicate.

Liz Becker

Info sourced by the author for LuxuryActivist.com. All content is copyrighted with no reproduction rights available. Images are for illustration purposes only.